Like Dallas, the Wings have been off to a shaky start. They’ve alternated between wins and losses so far this season (on track for a win tonight if the trend continues) though their play has looked better the past few games.

The Wings lost 2-1 to the Stars a week ago as they just couldn’t solve Kari Lehtonen despite putting 39 shots on him.

Detroit is still bad on the power-play and the penalty kill and their injuries have not improved since that last game against Dallas. Among those injured and out for this game include forwards Darren Helm, Mikael Samuelsson, Jan Mursak and defensemen Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo. Backup goaltenders Jonas Gustavsson and Joey MacDonald are also out for this game.

The biggest difference that the Stars can expect from Detroit is the look of the top lines. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg were split up and both guys immediately had a bigger effect on the game. They’ll be on different lines again tonight.

The Wings will start Jimmy Howard once again this game. He’s started every game so far this season and has allowed at least two goals in each of the past four starts.

Possible line combos:

Brunner – Zetterberg – Franzen

Bertuzzi – Datsyuk – Filppula

Cleary – Abdelkader – Tootoo

Miller – Emmerton – Eaves

D-Pairings:

Kronwall – Ericsson

Quincey – Smith

Huskins – Lashoff

Dallas:

Dallas is coming off a horrible loss to the Blue Jackets last night and enters the dreaded second night of a back-to-back tonight. Dallas has been horrible on the B2B the past two seasons and a game against the Wings will be difficult.

The Stars had a huge problem with penalties once again last night. Although they were lucky to go seven for seven on the penalty kill, it was against the offensively challenged Blue Jackets. Doing something like that again tonight will only kill the team.

Dallas needs to show some fire tonight and not get off to another slow start. They need to be engaged in the game (smartly engaged that is) and try to at least keep their goalie relatively safe. Cody Eakin has really been the only guy that’s shown a want-to out on the ice.

Richard Bachman should be making the start tonight to give Kari Lehtonen a rest. Bachman has been down in the AHL to get some work in and with Cristopher Nilstorp on IR, it’s now his turn to get some NHL work in.